Cloning and expression of foot-and-mouth disease virus type O VP1 gene

The subject of study was a foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV) type O prevalent strain. The VP1 gene of FMDV was amplified by RT-PCR and subsequently inserted into the expression vector pET-32a. The VP1 gene was sequenced and compared with other published FMDV type O strains isolated from different areas. The success in cloning of the VP1 gene laid down a basis for the construction of a recombinant genetically-engineered vaccine. Analysis of the sequence revealed that the reading frame of the VP1 gene insert was correct. The protein corresponding to the VP1 gene was expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3)after induction with IPTG. SDS-PAGE and western-blotting showed that the VP1 fusion protein was expressed efficiently and had good antigenicity.